Azerbaijani Plov (Azerbaijanian Pilaf) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup almonds, blanched
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup basmati rice
2 cups chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds (white)
1/4 teaspoon ginger, ground
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F.
Spread almonds on a cookie sheet in a single layer & toast in the oven for about 5 minutes Watch for any sign of burning being sure to regulate heat accordingly. Set aside.
Melt butter in a heavy 2 quart casserole set over med heat.
Add rice and stir with a wooden spoon until the rice turns white and opaque.
Stir in sesame seeds, then pour in chicken stock, ginger, salt and black pepper.
Stir constantly, then bring to a boil, cover casserole tightly and bake in center of oven for 20-25 mins until the liquid has all been absorbed and rice is tender.
Sprinkle the reserved almonds over the rice then serve immediately.